RismadarVoice Media, December 2, 2025
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to announce a new Minister of Defence this week following the sudden resignation of the incumbent, Badaru Abubakar, who stepped down citing health concerns.
Abubakar’s resignation, effective immediately, was contained in a letter dated December 1 and addressed to the President.
The development was confirmed in a statement issued Monday evening by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
“In a letter dated December 1, sent to President Bola Tinubu, Abubakar said he was quitting on health grounds,” the statement said.
President Tinubu has accepted the resignation and expressed gratitude to the former minister for his service to the country.
According to the statement, the President is expected to notify the Senate of Abubakar’s replacement later this week, signalling that the process to fill the position is already in motion.
Abubakar, 63, served as a two-term governor of Jigawa State from 2015 to 2023 before being appointed Minister of Defence on August 21, 2023.
His departure comes at a critical moment for the administration, which is contending with worsening security challenges that recently compelled President Tinubu to declare a nationwide security emergency.
As part of measures announced last month, the President approved the recruitment of 20,000 additional police officers, deployment of forest guards, and increased protection for schools, churches and mosques in vulnerable areas.
There have been persistent calls from analysts and security commentators for Abubakar’s removal, with critics claiming he was not suited to lead the ministry.
Speculation intensified Monday night after President Tinubu held a private meeting with former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), at the State House.
Musa, dressed in dark-green northern-style attire, was seen arriving at the Villa around 7:03 p.m. before being ushered into the President’s office wing by a senior security aide.
It was Musa’s first public visit to the Presidency since his retirement on October 24, 2025.
The purpose of the meeting was not immediately clear, but it has heightened speculation over who will emerge as the next Minister of Defence.
